Jacob s



(No Model.)

` J. S. GIBBS.

TENSION DEVIGEFOR GRA-IN BINDERS.

No. 399,872. Patented Mar. 19, 1889.A

WITNESSES.

ATTORN EY.

N. PETEns, Phnm-Limngrapher, wnshngmn. D C.

NTTED STATES PATENT I JACOB S. Gllilib, OF NORRISTOWYN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE BRlDGEPOR'l 'IWYINE BINDER COMPANY.

TENSION DEVICE FOR GRAIN-BINDERS.

SPECIFICATION forming` part of Letters Patent No. 399,872, dated March 19, 1889. Application filed April Z0, 1887. Serial No. 235,511. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB S. GIBBS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norristown,in the county of Montgomery, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Grain -l-inders, ywhich improvement is fully set forth in the follow ing speci tcation and accom panying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in tension devices for binders, the object being the production of a device of this character which will preserve the proper tension on the cord at all times, which will guide the cord and prevent displacement of the same from the device, and which shall be superior to other devices in point ot' simplicity, durability, and inexpensiveness.

To attain these obj ects the invention consists of a tension device comprising a base or attaching plate, a top plate having an annular rim with diametrically-opposite openings therein to allow thepassage of the cord, aban d or ring secured or formed on the top of the rim and serving to close the openings o't the rim to prevent displacement ot the cord, and a coiled spring arranged in the chamber of the base-plate, having one end connected to the base-plateand the other end connected to the top plate, whereby the spring exerts its tension against the rotatable plate and. effectually operates and restores the same to its normal position when moved therefrom. liurther, in a rigid baseeplate having a chamber or cup [formed thereon, a top plate mounted .rotatably on the base-plate, a rim carried by the plate havin g diametrically-oppositeopen ings, a surmoiinting band or ring on the rim closing said openings, shoulders or blocks at alternate sides ot the openings of the rim against which the cord rides, and which serves to guide the same and permits the free passage thereof, and a spring arranged in the chamber of the base-plate and connected to the said base and rotatable plate, and, iinally, the invention consists in-the details of construction, combination, and peculiar adaptation of parts for service, substantially as hereu inafter described and specifically claimed.

Figure 1 represents a plan view oi' a tension device tor binders embodying my inven tion, the dotted lines illustrating' the position of the cord and part when said cord is severed or cut and the full lines when the top plateis rotated by the cord. Fig. 2 reln'esentsaplan view of the baseplate, illustrating the chamber and spring arranged therein. Fig. S represents a vertical section ot the device, taken on lines .r .fr of Fig. l.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the base or attaching plate, provided with ears d for securing the plate in position, an annular rim, G, forming a chamber, G', and a central post, H, having an opening therethrough and a depression or recess, H', at the top thereof. From this construction it will be seen that the base is secured firmly in place, and that the same has a cup or chamber formed thereon.

B designates the top plate, resting on the edge of the rim or iiange G, provided with a cent-ral opening and a d epending tlange, B', fitting snugly in the recess Il ot' the baseplate, and through the central opening of the base and top plate passes a screw or pivot, J. The top plate, B, is further provided with a depending lug, B2, adapted to contact with one of the ears a to limit the rotation ot the top plate en the base-plate.

(l designates a rim on the top plate, said rim being separated at opposite sides or provided with diametrically-opposite openings E to allow the passage ol. the biudingcord, and at alternate sides ot' the rim are provided shoulders, blocks, or guides l), against which the cord rides, which allow the easy travel of the cord and guides the same, and on top of the rim is mounted a band or ring, B3, which serves to continethe cord in the openings of the rim and prevents the same trom en gagi'ng obstructions and becoming displaced. From this construction it is evident that the top plate is mounted on the base-plate in such manner as to revolve thereon and is limited in its movement, and that the cord passes through the opening' of the rim, rides against the shoulders, and is prevented from displacement by means et" the ring or band.

F designates a spring arranged in the chamber of thebase-plate, having one end connected IOC to the base-plate and the other end connected to the rotatable plate, whereby the spring 'exerts its tension against the rotatable plate and serves to restore the same to its normal position. I

The base-plate is secured to the grain-binder between the tension and knot-forming mechanism, andthe twine employed in binding passes through the openings of the rim against the rounded shoulders or blocks and is deiiected by said shoulders or blocks from a right line. The tension of the binding-cord against the shoulders rotates the top plate, winding the spring, and while the tension 1s preserved the top plate remains in its rotated position. Then the twine slackens, the spring rotates the plate, takes up the slack in the twine, and keeps the same tautat all times. The blocks or shoulders, taking up the slack and increasing the friction of the cord, keep the cord taut and prevent it from tangling or fouling with the machinery of the binder.

Itis evident thatI I provide a simple, durable, and inexpensive device which effectually takes up the slack of the cord, allows the easy passage of the same therethrough, and guides the same and prevents displacement of said cord.A

llavin g thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and .desire to secure by Letters Patent, is*- l. A tension device consisting of a fixed base-plate, an annular rim on said plate forming a chamber, a top plate mounted rotatably on the base-plate, a circumferential rim mounted on the top plate formed with openings to allow the passage of the cord, a band or ring fixed on t-he upper edge of the rim to close the openings thereof and prevent displacement of the cord, and a spring arranged in the chamber of the base-plate, having one end contially in the manner and for the purpose described.

2. A tension device consisting of a baseplate, an annular rim on said plate forming a chamber, a top plate mounted rotatablyon the base-plate, a rim on the top plate having opposite openings therein, a su rmounting band or ring on the rim closing said openings, slioul ders or bearing-blocks on alternate sides of said openings, and a spring located in the chamber of the base-plate, having one end connected to said base-plate and the other end thereof connected to the rotatable plate, said parts operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

3. A tension device consisting of the baseplate having attaching-ears, a rim forming a chamber, and central pivot-post formed with a recess, a top plate resting on the rim of the base-plate, having a depending iiange fitting in the recess of the pivot-post of said baseplate, and a depending lug adapted to contact with one of the attaching-ears of the baseplate, a rim on the top plate having openings therein, shoulders or bearing-blocks at alternate sides of said openings, a surmounting band or ring on the said rim, and a spring arranged in the chamber of the base-plate, having one end connected to the said plate and the other end connected to the top plate, said parts being combined and operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

J. S. GIBBS.

Titnessesz JOHN A. WIEDnRsHEIM, A. P. JENNINGs. 

